Descanso ZIP Codes — San Diego County, CA

There is one unique ZIP code in Descanso, California and it is 91916. Area code: 619.

ZIP codes

61.90

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

619

area code

Descanso, CA ZIP code map

About Descanso, CA

Descanso, California is a quaint and picturesque community located in San Diego County. Nestled in the Cuyamaca Mountains, this charming town offers breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere. With a strong sense of community and a blend of rural and suburban living, Descanso provides a unique escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Location & geography

Descanso is situated approximately 30 miles east of downtown San Diego and is surrounded by stunning natural landscapes. Nearby cities include Pine Valley to the northeast, Mount Laguna to the east, and Ramona to the southwest, offering residents and visitors a variety of scenic routes. The area covers a total land area of 61.90 square miles, with no water area recorded, highlighting its predominantly dry, mountainous terrain.

Community & economy

The character of Descanso is defined by its close-knit community and vibrant outdoor lifestyle, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and families alike. Local industries primarily revolve around forestry, tourism, and small businesses, with many residents involved in agriculture and crafts. Daily life in Descanso is relaxed, with community events often taking place throughout the year, adding to the town's charm.

Transportation

Transportation in Descanso is primarily facilitated by State Route 79, which connects the town to key destinations in the surrounding area. The nearest major airport is San Diego International Airport, located about 35 miles to the southwest, providing convenient access to both domestic and international flights. Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicles the most common mode of transportation for residents.

History

Descanso was founded in the late 19th century and developed as a small agricultural community, benefiting from the rich soil and favorable climate of the region. Key industries included farming and timber, which played a pivotal role in the town's early growth and sustainability. Throughout its history, Descanso has hosted various cultural events that celebrate its rich heritage and vibrant community spirit.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Descanso is that it is well-known for its scenic hiking trails, particularly the popular Cuyamaca Rancho State Park which attracts outdoor lovers year-round. Additionally, the town is famed for its charming annual events, such as the Descanso Days Festival, which celebrates local culture and history.

ZIP codes for Descanso, CA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
91916	Descanso	San Diego	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,833

Population

54.8

Median age

$115,324

Median household income

$51,826

Per capita income

$576,900

Median home value

$3,501

Median monthly rent

75.6%

Home ownership

1.3%

Poverty rate

0.6%

Unemployment

557

Housing units

21.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

129

25–34

127

35–44

45–54

113

55–59

111

113

60–64

111

173

65–74

171

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	338	18.4%
18 and over	1,495	81.6%
65 and over	462	25.2%
Median age	54.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 70.8%

Hispanic or Latino 13.3%

Other race 10.2%

Two or more races 5.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Asian 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	1,497	70.8%
Hispanic or Latino	280	13.3%
Other race	216	10.2%
Two or more races	109	5.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	7	0.3%
Asian	4	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 1.0%

$15k–$25k 2.4%

$25k–$35k 1.9%

$35k–$50k 12.1%

$50k–$75k 14.5%

$75k–$100k 6.6%

$100k–$150k 29.0%

$150k–$200k 17.4%

$200k+ 15.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.0%
$15k–$25k	2.4%
$25k–$35k	1.9%
$35k–$50k	12.1%
$50k–$75k	14.5%
$75k–$100k	6.6%
$100k–$150k	29.0%
$150k–$200k	17.4%
$200k+	15.2%
Median income	$115,324

Housing

Home values

$150k–$200k 3.8%

$200k–$300k 8.3%

$300k–$500k 24.3%

$500k–$1M 62.2%

$1M+ 1.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$576,900
Median rent / month	$3,501
Owner occupied	75.6%
Renter occupied	24.4%
Vacant	16.1%
Single-family detached	89.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	7.7%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.89

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	1.6%
2000–2009	19.0%
1990–1999	13.3%
1980–1989	17.1%
1970–1979	14.9%
1960–1969	16.0%
1950–1959	5.7%
1940–1949	2.6%
1939 or earlier	9.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	4.1%
1 bedroom	10.4%
2 bedrooms	27.9%
3 bedrooms	35.7%
4 bedrooms	11.6%
5+ bedrooms	10.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.5%
1 vehicle	13.1%
2 vehicles	28.3%
3 or more	50.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	4.3%
Electricity	11.9%
Propane / LP gas	30.3%
Fuel oil	9.5%
Wood	30.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	371	63.2%
Cohabiting couple	11	1.9%
Male householder, no spouse	41	7.0%
Female householder, no spouse	164	27.9%
Households with children under 18	174	29.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	267	45.5%
Average household size	3.08

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	19.6%	29.1%
Married	60.9%	54.4%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	9.5%	9.2%
Divorced	10.1%	7.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.0%

Some HS, no diploma 4.7%

HS graduate 30.5%

Some college, no degree 30.2%

Associate's degree 7.3%

Bachelor's degree 11.5%

Graduate / professional 9.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.3%
Bachelor's or higher	21.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	19	5.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	215	56.1%
High school	59	15.4%
College / grad school	90	23.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Arts, food & hospitality 21.0%

Professional & management 19.7%

Education & healthcare 17.8%

Construction 15.2%

Manufacturing 5.9%

Agriculture & mining 5.0%

Transportation & utilities 4.5%

Retail trade 4.4%

Other services 3.6%

Finance & real estate 2.3%

Public administration 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	30.9%
Service	23.0%
Sales & office	11.2%
Natural resources & construction	20.6%
Production & transportation	14.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	74.1%
Government	12.5%
Self-employed	9.9%
Unpaid family workers	3.4%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	70.9%
Carpool	9.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	1.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.3

Poverty

All people 1.3%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 1.6%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	46.2%
Retirement income	28.8%
Supplemental Security	4.1%
Cash public assistance	5.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	2.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.7%
High cholesterol	34.1%
Heart disease	6.5%
Stroke	3.0%
Asthma	9.6%
Arthritis	25.4%
Kidney disease	2.9%
Pulmonary disease	7.3%
Cancer	7.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.8%
No physical activity	19.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.2%
Fair or poor health	14.2%
Poor mental health	14.5%
Poor physical health	11.0%
No health insurance	8.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	71.2%
Visited dentist	69.3%
Cholesterol screening	92.7%
Teeth loss	10.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	94	6.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.2%
Under 18	14.3%
18–64 years	14.4%
65 and over	17.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	68.8%
Public insurance	38.6%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,769	96.5%
Spanish	102	5.8%
Other Indo-European	76	4.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	26	1.5%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,611	87.9%
Born in same state	1,611	87.9%
Born in different state	1,209	66.0%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	222	12.1%
Not a US citizen	196	88.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	212	11.6%
French	188	10.3%
Polish	83	4.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	30	1.6%
Arab	21	1.1%
Dutch	5	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	32.0%
Internet access	89.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Descanso, CA have?

Descanso, CA has one ZIP code: 91916. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.